Thunder Complete Massive Comeback to Take Down Suns
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In Oklahoma City's first contest since a Thursday night loss to the Raptors, the Thunder pulled off a 15-point comeback to defeat the Phoenix Suns 124-120. For the Thunder, All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 40 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Despite Phoenix being without Kevin Durant and DeAndre Ayton, Oklahoma City got off to a slow start on Sunday afternoon, falling behind 11-2 less than four minutes into the first quarter. An 8-3 run by OKC brought the home team within striking distance, but the Thunder failed to close the gap, forcing bad shots and turning the ball over frequently.
After an unusually sloppy opening frame by Oklahoma City, the Thunder trailed Phoenix 31-25 behind 13 points from Gilgeous-Alexander.
OKC quickly fell behind by double digits at the start of the second period following two consecutive 3-pointers by Suns wing Landry Shamet. Two quick buckets from Thunder sharpshooter Isaiah Joe, however, cut Phoenix's lead in half and brought Oklahoma City back within five.
Once again, the Thunder could not capitalize on its comeback attempt, as the Suns built up a 52-37 lead midway through the second quarter. Phoenix maintained its lead for the remainder of the half, heading into the break with a 69-57 advantage.
OKC picked up its stride on offense in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns for the first time all game. In the closing minutes of the period, Oklahoma City began to cut the deficit once again, but a hot stretch from Booker extended Phoenix's lead back to 11.
After Gilgeous-Alexander beat the buzzer in transition, the Thunder went into the final frame trailing 96-90.
The Suns opened the fourth quarter with two quick buckets to go back up by double digits. OKC answered with a 10-0 run of its own, tying the game at 100 with less than eight minutes left.
After the Suns went up 102-100, a 3-pointer from Lu Dort gave Oklahoma City its first lead since the early moments of the first quarter. A basket from Giddey and a triple from Dort gave the Thunder a 108-102 lead, capping off an 18-2 run.
With OKC ahead 110-104, Aaron Wiggins stripped the ball from Booker and finished an "and-one" layup over Chris Paul to grow the Thunder's lead to 113-104. With less than two minutes left in the game, two consecutive baskets from Booker and two free throws from Torrey Craig brought Phoenix within four.
After a turnover by Josh Giddey, the Suns missed a triple from the corner that was rebounded by Jalen Williams. Williams connected on one of his two free throws to push Oklahoma City's lead to 120-115 with just over 20 seconds left in the game.
After two more made shots from Phoenix and four free throws from the home team, OKC won 124-120. The Thunder return to action in Los Angeles as Oklahoma City takes on the Clippers at 9:30 P.M. CT on Tuesday night.
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